The house at 43 Schneider Ave., Kitchener Ont., was built in 1877-1888 by Tobias and Mary Schantz, and has remained in the family to the present day. Tobias and Mary's granddaughter, Dorothy Russell, and great-grandson, Harold Russell, "cleaned out the attic" and although much textual and graphic material remains with the family, the materials donated represent a significant addition to our knowledge and understanding of local history and way of life in 19th-century Ontario, particularly in Kitchener.

The more than 1000 letters alone provide insight into the lives of pioneer families, and are especially rich in detailing the concerns of women. The Schantz women may have been atypical: they were well-educated and they worked and travelled; their letters contain everything from the most humdrum details of domestic activities to comments on local and larger affairs.

Other textual materials document the education, interests and activities of members of the large and busy Schantz family from the 1850's to ca. 1930. The photographs add to the known body of work of local photographers, most notably Denton, and include some images of important local events, such as the visit of Sir Wilfrid Laurier. The many very early local maps and plans are a significant addition for area research. Ephemera and artifacts are also present.

Papers and books in the attic were stored in trunks, boxes, and desks, some belonging to individuals, and some containing general family papers, and the arrangement of the fonds has been determined largely by the way the material was stored. One trunk was labelled, "Hervey Bowman": this belonged to a close friend (and cousin?) of Frank Schantz, who gave all his things to Frank when he died. One of the most significant local history finds was in this trunk. Hervey's father, Isaac Lucius Bowman, ran a school at Freeport ca. 1867-1871, which is documented here through the "Proceedings of the Freeport Educational Society", circulars of the Freeport Academy, and two photographs of pupils and teachers of the Academy.

Schantz Russell family fonds : 2009 accrual

Contents

Accrual consists of textual and graphic materials created or accumulated by Dorothy White Russell and other members of the Schantz and Russell families, primarily correspondence received by Dorothy and some of her diaries and notebooks. Also contains miscellaneous materials created or accumulated by Frank Schantz, family correspondence, and ephemera.

Contents

Accrual consists of textual and graphic materials created or accumulated by members of the Schantz families, primarily photographs of extended Schantz family members and materials created and accumulated by Orpheus Moyer Schantz. Also contains family correspondence, materials relating to homestead land holdings, and ephemera. Textual materials were loose when material was donated.

Contents

Accrual consists of textual and graphic materials created or accumulated by members of the Schantz families. Primarily includes photographs of members of the extended Schantz family and friends. Also contains ephemera, and school notebooks.

Schantz Russell family fonds : 2014 accrual

Contents

Accrual consists of textual, graphic and artefactual materials created and accumulated by members of the Schantz Russell family, primarily Orpheus Moyer Schantz. Includes photographs of members of the extended family, correspondence, artwork, ephemera, and materials relating to the professional and leisure pursuits of Orpheus Moyer Schantz.

Schantz/Russell Family Library

The Schantz/Russell Family Papers were donated to the University of Waterloo Library in 1996 by Mrs. Dorothy Russell and her son, Harold Russell. In addition to extensive archival holdings, the Schantz/Russell Family Papers include the library of the Schantz and Russell families--more than 800 volumes in all.

Included are 19th-century Canadian imprints, books on horticulture, early school textbooks, scarce local imprints, such as the 1886/89 County of Waterloo Gazetteer and Directory and the Assessment Roll of 1897 of the Town of Berlin, and a selection of Victorian literature. There are extensive runs of early 20th-century periodicals, such as The Youth's Companion, St. Nicholas, The Ladies' Home Journal, and the Canadian Forestry Journal. The Schantz/Russell Family library offers a unique insight into the reading habits and the interests and activities of a Canadian family in Berlin, Ontario during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Tobias Schantz (1842-1925) worked as an itinerant book salesman at the end of the 19th century, and more than 40 examples of books known as "salesman's dummies" are present in the collection. These books were made up by the publishers as samples for their salesmen to show to potential customers. Each one displays the most noteworthy features of the book offered for sale, including the table of contents, the illustrations, selections from the text, and examples of the variety of elaborate binding styles available. Blank pages at the end of each sample book were used by the itinerant salesman to record his orders and, in this collection, some of the dummies contain up to as many as 8 pages of hand-written lists of local subscribers to the books that Tobias marketed in his trips around the region.

Schantz/Russell family papers. Series 13: Maps

Town of Waterloo, Canada, with views of the principal business buildings. - [1895?]
1 map ; 99 x 68 cm.
Printed in colour; includes vignettes of various local businesses.
"Toronto Lithography Co."
Scale: variable (oblique view).

Plan. - 1853.
1 map ; 80 x 57 cm.
One of the first plans of a portion of Berlin, unregistered (ref. Winearls, B 1212-13), of a very large subdivision (642 lots in three parcels).
"Nov 29 1853 (signed by) [ ]Coate? auctioneer John C. Herrington auctioneer, signed by George J. Grange (owner?) and Henry Rothaermal (surveyor?)."
Scale: 1 inch = 4 chains or 264 feet (stated).
Original ink and pencil on thick kraft paper with fabric backing.
Not identified in Winearls.

Map of the Village of Berlin previous to its being incorporated 1855. - 1855.
1 map ; 63 x 54 cm.
Early printed map of Berlin with landowner names added later in pencil and ink.
"Lith. by Compton 209 Main St. Buffalo."
Scale: 1 inch = 4 chains (stated).
Printed on rag paper (fabric backed) with later additions in pencil and ink.
Winearls, 1555.

Map of the Town of Berlin, capital of the County of Waterloo, C.W., drawn from actual survey and original maps by M.C. Schofield, P.L.S. 1855. - 1855.
1 map ; 80 x 61 cm.
Early printed map of part of Berlin: it identifies Joseph Schneider house and saw mill and shows four views of parts of town, each signed W.H.E.N. Del.'
"Lith. of Compton Main St Buffalo."
Scale: 1 inch = 8 chains (stated).
Printed on kraft paper.
Winearls, 1554.

Map of parts of lots 4 and 58, Township and County of Waterloo C.W. lying within and adjacent to the county town Berlin as laid out for John Arnold Esq. and Sheriff Davidson by M.C. Schofield, P.L.S. - 1854.
2 maps ; 96 x 57 cm.
2 copies of what is possibly the third-oldest printed map of part of Berlin (ref. Winearls, 1553-1554): a large subdivision (181 lots); the "Ouse" or Grand River is identified. "Lith. Of Maclear & Co 16 King Street Toronto."
Scale: 1 inch = 4 chains (stated).
Printed map, 8A on thick rag paper (pieced); 8B with fabric backing.
Not identified in Winearls.

Plan of the Township of Peel surveyed by Robt W. Kerr D.P.S. November 1843, see field book page 34-37. - 1843.
1 map ; 82 x 47 cm.
One of the earliest plans of the Township.
1 inch = 40 chains (measured).
Original ink and pencil on rag paper (pieced) with water colour additions.
Winearls, A1531 (var.).

Plan of the Township of Waterloo taken from manuscript surveys made for Mr. Peter Bamberger by Adrian Marlet Land Surveyor. - [18--].
1 map ; 56 x 47 cm.
Mills along the Grand River and tributaries are noted, but no towns are identified.
1 inch = 60 chains (stated).
Original ink on drafting cloth (with added pencil).

Plan of Huber's subdivision of lots 6, 7, and part of 8, of David Weber's survey in the Town of Berlin, forming part of lot 3 of the German Company's Tract of the Township of Waterloo C.W., by James Pollock, P.L.S. Galt, 15th October, 1874. - 1874.
1 map ; 44 x 33 cm.
This copy has the owner's lands coloured in pink and is signed by the surveyor.
Scale: 1 inch = 1 chain (stated).
Original ink on paper (fabric backed) with water colour added. Another copy in GA91 Map #22.

Wilmot: sketch from the field notes of the survey of the three roads through a block of land in the Crown Reserve Block for the County of Lincoln to be settled by the people of Waterloo, drawn on demand of and for Mr. Sam Eby, Mr. Abr. Erb 1824 . - 1824.
1 map ; 63 x 43 cm.
One of the first plans of Township (Winearls, A2108-11).
Based on original survey by J. Goessman (?).
Scale 1 inch = 40 chains (stated).
Original ink on rag paper (fabric backed) with later ink additions.
Not identified in Winearls.

Untitled. - 1879.
1 map ; 36 x 37 cm.
Reference survey only (no bearings or distances), additional information in pencil, signed by the surveyor.
"The Description in No. 3623 was prepared by me from actual survey of the property sold and to be conveyed by Isaac H. Hoffman to Anthes, Stoebler [sic] and Merner. Certified by I.L. Bowman P.L.S. Berlin. March 5th. 1879."
Original ink on rag paper with pencil additions.

Map of the village of New Aberdeen and part of the township, lots 10, 11,12 and 13 of Biehn's Tract in the Township and County of Waterloo C.W., as laid out for the proprietor George Davidson Esq. by Schofield & Hobson P.L.S., Berlin, June 1856. - 1856.
1 map ; 85 x 72 cm.
Non-existent village.
"Maclear & Co. Lith. Toronto."
Scale: 1 inch = 3 chains (stated).
Printed on rag paper (fabric backed) with water colour added.
Winearls, 1646.

Diagram showing the fronts of the properties on King Street between Frederick and Yonge Streets on the north and between Benton and Gaukel on the south, the black lines marking the division between owners, the red between occupants. - [18--].
1 map ; 95 x 29 cm.
This map shows King St. from Frederick to Benton Streets, with property owners identified and frontages listed.
Scale: 1 inch = 40 ft. (measured).
Original ink on drafting tissue (pieced).

Plan of survey for Moses Erb, Esquire, composed of part of lot no. six, of the upper block, of the Township of Waterloo, and lying within the bounds of the Corporation of the Town of Waterloo, by James Pollock, P.L.S., Galt, 8th April 1876. - 1876.
1 map ; 50 x 47 cm.
Signed by surveyor.
Scale: 1 inch = 2 chains (stated).
Original ink on waxed drafting cloth with water colour added.

Plan of survey into subdivision lots of part of the Town of Waterloo, composed of park lot no. XI of Jacob Snyder & Elias Snyder's survey and another parcel, both forming part of org. Tp. Lot no. XN, and composed also of lot no. 2 of Musselman's survey and forming part of org. lot no. XIII, made for Charles Noecker Esqr., by Isaac L. Bowman P.L.S., Berlin Sept. 25th. 1879. - 1879.
1 map ; 50 x 42 cm.
One of few plans of a section of the Town of Waterloo (King & Noecker Streets), signed by the surveyor.
1 inch = 2 chains (stated).
Original ink on thin drafting tissue.

Plan of Huber's subdivision of lots 6, 7, and part of 8, of David Weber's survey in the Town of Berlin, forming part of lot 3 of the German Company's Tract of the Township of Waterloo C.W., by James Pollock, P.L.S. Galt, 15th October, 1874. - 1874.
1 map ; 44 x 33 cm.
Scale: 1 inch = 1 chain (stated).
Original ink on waxed drafting cloth.
Another copy in GA91 Map #12.

Plan of part of lot 457 of John Hoffman's survey, Town of Berlin, otherwise known as part of lot 15 of the German Company Tract of the Township of Waterloo, for and at the instance of the executors of John Hoffman Esquire late deceased, by Isaac L. Bowman P.L.S., Berlin, March 26th, 1878. - 1878.
1 map ; 51 x 42 cm.
Signed by the surveyor.
Scale: 1 inch = 2 chains (stated).
Original ink on thin drafting tissue.

Plan of part of lot 457 of John Hoffman's survey in the Town of Berlin, otherwise known as part of lot 15 of the German Company's Tract, of the Township of Waterloo, for and at the instance of the proprietor, John Hoffman, Esquire, by James Pollock, P.L.S., Galt, 15th October 1874. - 1874.
1 map ;60 x 49 cm.
Plan of a sixteen lot subdivision, signed by the surveyor.
Scale: 1 inch = 2 chains (stated).
Original ink on waxed drafting cloth.

Plan of survey for J.M. Staebler Esq. composed of part lot no. 17, of the upper block of the Township of Waterloo, and lying within the bounds of the Corporation of the Town of Berlin, by Isaac L. Bowman P.L.S., Berlin, March 12th, 1878. - 1878.
1 map ; 40 x 31 cm.
Signed by surveyor and property owner.
Scale: 1 inch = 2 chains (stated).
Original ink on drafting tissue.

Plan of William Asmus' subdivision of lots nos. 16 & 17 according to the reg. village map, and lots nos. 13 and 14 of Bleam's survey, north of Boullee Street & east of Jacob Street in the Village of New Hamburg, forming part of township lot no. 23 north of Bleams Road, by Isaac Lucius Bowman P.L.S. Berlin June 1st AD. 1878. - 1878.
1 map ; 58 x 45 cm.
Signed by the surveyor.
Scale: 1 inch = 1 chain (stated).
Original ink on drafting tissue.

Dunbar's survey in the Town of Guelph, being composed of parts of lots 4 and 5 in the first, and parts of lots 4 and 5 in the second range of division E, Township of Guelph, as laid out for the proprietor, Alexander Dunbar, Esqre., by James Pollock P.L.S., Galt, 31st August 1874. - 1874.
1 map ; 56 x 38 cm.
Scale: 1 inch = 2 chains (stated).
Original ink on drafting tissue.

Plan of the Village of Heidelberg as laid out for John Meyer, Esqr. situate and being part of lot no. 24, of the Ger. Company Tract in the Township of Woolwich, surveyed by Joel Good, Nov. 21st. 1855. - 1855.
1 map ; 67 x 50 cm.
Possibly the oldest plan of Heidelberg, unregistered (ref. Winearls, B1046).
Scale: 1 inch = 1 chain (measured).
Original ink on blue rag paper with water colour added.
Not identified in Winearls.

Plan of Queen's Square in the Town of Galt, showing the Square and parts of adjacent street as copied from the original plan made for William Dickson Esq., by James Pollock P.L.S., and filed in the Registry Office for the County of Waterloo on the 3rd of September A.D 1849, Isaac L. Bowman P.L.S., Berlin, May 21st 1881. - 1881.
1 map ; 40 x 22 cm.
Signed by surveyor.
Scale: 1 inch = 100 feet (measured).
Original ink on waxed drafting cloth.

Benjamin Devitt's survey of part of township lots 14 and 15 in the Village of Waterloo, Ontario.- 1875.
1 map ; 59 x 32 cm.
One of few plans of a section of Waterloo (Erb & Willow Streets),signed by the surveyor.
"This Plan is Correct and is Prepared Under the Provisions of the Registration of Titles (Ontario) Act. James Pollock PLS. Galt 16th June 1875."
Scale: 1 inch = 2 chains (stated).
Original ink on drafting tissue

Plan of Joseph Brenneman's subdivision of part of township lot no., 23 south of Bleam's Road in the Village of New Hamburg, by Isaac L. Bowman P.L.S., Berlin, September 24th, 1878. - 1878.
1 map ; 46 x 32 cm.
Signed by surveyor.
Scale: 1 inch = 1 chain (stated).
Original ink on drafting tissue.

Plan of lots in the Town of Galt, forming part of subdivision lot no. 3 in the 10 concession, formerly of the Township of North Dumfries on the west side of the Grand River, now in the Town of Galt, made for George Hogg Esq. - [18--].
1 map ; 25 x 43 cm.
Subdivision of 91 lots, apparently unregistered.
Scale: 1 inch = 200 ft. (measured).
Original ink on waxed drafting cloth.
Not identified in Winearls.

Plan of part of the Town of Galt, comprising part of subdivision lot number three in the Eleventh Concession of what was originally the Township of North Dumfries, made for James Young, Esq, by Isaac L. Bowman P.L.S., Berlin, July 13th, 1882. - 1882.
1 map ; 49 x 34 cm.
Thirty-three lot subdivision, apparently unregistered, signed by surveyor and landowner.
Scale: 1 inch = 1 chain (stated).
Original ink on thick rag paper .

Plan of the property of James Blain Esqre., coloured pink in the subdivision lots of the 11th concession of North Dumfries within the limits of the Town of Galt, forming part of the estate of the late Honble. Robert Dickson, compiled from plans of surveys of Robert Kerr, Francis Kerr and Alexander Simpson, Provincial Land Surveyors, and partly from actual survey by James Pollock, Prov. Land Surveyor, Galt, 14th March 1862. - 1862.
1 map ; 88 x 61 cm.
Based in part on Winearls, B783: not registered, signed by the surveyor.
Scale: 1 inch = 2 chains (measured).
Original ink on thin waxed drafting cloth with water colour added.
Not identified in Winearls.

A plan of the town lots of Galt for A. Shade Esquire, Galt, Augst. 1846, by Francis Kerr D.P.S. - 1846.
1 map ; 58 x 84 cm.
This plan is possibly the first plan of a portion of Galt, unregistered (ref. Winearls, B782), for Absalom Shade, an early land owner and businessman.
This item has a plan and cross-section of the Maitland River Bridge on the verso.
Scale:1 inch = 2 chains (stated).
Original ink on rag paper with water colour shading.
Not identified in Winearls.

Map of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta showing the number of quarter-sections available for homestead entry in each township, also the preemption and purchased homestead area as defined by the Dominion Land Act, 1908, 3rd ed. corr., May 1, 1913. - 1913.
1 map
Scale : 1 in. = 35 mi.

Belcher's map of the Province of Nova Scotia including the Island of Cape Breton, compiled from the actual & recent surveys & under the authority of the Provincial Legislature by William Mackay, July 10, 1834, 2nd ed. corr. to 1866. - 1866.
1 map ; 158 x 61 cm.
Large scale and detailed map of the Province.
Engraved by James Neele & Co., published and sold by John Snow (London) & C.H. Belcher (Halifax).
Scale : 1 in. = 6.15 mi. or 1 : 32,500 (measured).